High bulk paper towels

Abstract

Rolled creped paper products, such as kitchen towels, can be provided with high roll bulk and a high degree of roll firmness by steaming the dry, creped paper sheet immediately prior to embossing the sheet between matched steel embossing rolls. The steaming preconditions the sheet such that the resulting sheet embossments maintain their shape and structural strength, thereby imparting greater bulk and firmness to the wound roll of product. In addition, the sheet experiences less cross-machine strength reduction as a consequence of the embossing.

We claim: 
     
       1. A roll of single-ply creped paper having a roll bulk of 13 cubic centimeters per gram (cc/g) or greater, a roll firmness of 10 millimeters (mm) or less and a cross-machine direction (CD) tensile strength of about 2000 or greater grams per 3 inches of width (grams). 
     
     
       2. The roll of claim 1 having a roll bulk of 15 cc/g or greater. 
     
     
       3. The roll of claim 1 having a roll bulk of 16 cc/g or greater. 
     
     
       4. The roll of claim 1 having a roll bulk of from about 14 to about 20 cc/g. 
     
     
       5. The roll of claim 1 having a roll bulk of from about 15 to about 17 cc/g. 
     
     
       6. The roll of claim 1 having a roll firmness of about 9 mm or less. 
     
     
       7. The roll of claim 1 having a roll firmness of from about 6 to about 10 mm. 
     
     
       8. The roll of claim 1 having a roll firmness of from about 7 to about 9 mm. 
     
     
       9. The roll of claim 1 having a CD tensile strength of about 2500 grams or greater. 
     
     
       10. The roll of claim 1 having a CD tensile strength of from about 2200 to about 3500 grams. 
     
     
       11. The roll of claim 1 having a CD tensile strength of from about 2300 to about 3200 grams. 
     
     
       12. A roll of creped paper having a roll bulk of 13 cubic centimeters per gram (cc/g) or greater, a roll firmness of from about 6 to about 7.7 millimeters and a cross-machine direction (CD) tensile strength of about 2000 or greater grams per 3 inches of width (grams). 
     
     
       13. The roll of claim 12 having a roll bulk of 15 cc/g or greater. 
     
     
       14. The roll of claim 12 having a roll bulk of 16 cc/g or greater. 
     
     
       15. The roll of claim 12 having a roll bulk of from about 14 to about 20 cc/g. 
     
     
       16. The roll of claim 12 having a roll bulk of from about 15 to about 17 cc/g. 
     
     
       17. The roll of claim 12 having a CD tensile strength of about 2500 grams or greater. 
     
     
       18. The roll of claim 12 having a CD tensile strength of from about 2200 to about 3500 grams. 
     
     
       19. The roll of claim 12 having a CD tensile strength of from about 2300 to about 3200 grams.